A heartfelt (sorta) apology

Return to decorum: Lately the Bradosphere has lost its cool because it keeps getting flamed on several fronts. E-mails, Internet postings and even the occasional letter to the editor compare me to goat droppings. Some critics (like Geek49203) are basically thoughtful. It is a pleasure to receive criticism in the spirit of debate. Unfortunately, most criticism is lately is given in the spirit of stupidity and name-calling. My rules of professional decorum have slipped to the same level in response. This is wrong on my part. So I apologize to that person who received my e-mail beginning, "You force me to agree with colleagues who insist you are an idiot." And I apologize to that other person for asking, "Did they teach reading where you went to school or do you just hold up the paper and pretend?" And I apologize to those devoted fans who feel I insulted Mitch Albom. Your heads could not possibly fit where I said.

The impersonal and often anonymous nature of e-mail is destroying all pretense of civility. For the good of both of us, I will no longer participate in the destruction. I will not respond to, or maybe even read, anonymous e-mail. Sign your name if you want a response. If you do that, I promise not to call you names. Unless I just can't help it.

What to expect tomorrow: The Ice Cream Man is laid to rest in Jackson.